Pirro Announces Arrest Of Woman Charged In Brazen WWII Memorial Vandalism

A woman has been arrested and charged with multiple felonies for allegedly vandalizing the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced Friday.

Pirro identified the defendant as Melissa L. Farris and published images that she said showed Farris spray-painting the memorial. The charges include depredation against property of the United States and destruction of a veterans’ memorial.

Farris could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted, according to the U.S. attorney.

“Vandalizing our World War II Memorial is a despicable attack on a sacred monument honoring the Americans who fought and died for our freedom. Those Americans include my father and grandfather,” Pirro wrote online Friday morning.

Neon Graffiti and Soap Cover Memorial

The Interior Department opened an investigation Thursday after neon-colored graffiti appeared on the Atlantic Pavilion and large amounts of foam filled the memorial’s fountains.

“Clean hands Dirty $” was spray-painted in neon orange along the fountain’s interior. Pink and green markings also appeared on sections of the pavilion.

Authorities believe soap was poured into the fountain, producing the bubbles that covered the water.

Law enforcement officers cordoned off the area Thursday afternoon while National Park Service crews began cleaning the monument. By Friday morning, the paint and foam had been removed.

Trump Condemns Vandals

Before the arrest was announced, President Donald Trump said his administration was on the “trail” of those responsible and described the vandals as “animals.”

The Interior Department called the incident “an utter disgrace” and promised that those responsible would be found.

“The World War II Memorial is a sacred place to honor the service of our members of the Armed Forces and the over 400,000 Americans who gave the ultimate sacrifice in WWII. The vandalism that occurred is an utter disgrace and will not be tolerated. Our U.S. Park Police are on the scene and the investigation is ongoing. The public should know we will find the person responsible for this disgusting act,” the department stated.

The memorial honors the Americans who served during World War II, including more than 400,000 who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Veterans Demand Accountability

The Veterans of Foreign Wars condemned the graffiti and soap as acts of “profound disrespect.”

The organization said it expects “accountability for this disgraceful act and a swift response to restore the memorial.”

“We eagerly await the National Park Service’s plan for repairing the damage and ensuring the National World War II Memorial remains a fitting and enduring tribute to America’s Greatest Generation,” the VFW stated.

For veterans and military families, the vandalism was not merely damage to government property. It was an insult to those who fought and died defending the country.

Scott Wimpfheimer, who was visiting with relatives from Minnesota and Alabama, told CNN affiliate WJLA that both his son and daughter had served in Iraq.

“It is a World War II monument. It’s to all the people who died and fought and sacrificed for our country,” Wimpfheimer said. “Our kids and our parents put our lives on the line for our country. I just don’t understand.”

Before authorities identified the suspect as a woman, Wimpfheimer said he hoped the perpetrator would face serious consequences.

“I hope they catch him and keep him in jail for a long, long time,” he said. “It has to stop, and maybe hitting them in their pocketbook or locking them up might do it.”

Latest Incident Targeting National Monuments

The vandalism follows other incidents involving monuments on the National Mall.

In June, the numbers “86 47”—widely interpreted as an anti-Trump message—were carved into the grass near the Washington Monument.

Separately, the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has remained drained for repairs after a Trump administration renovation encountered peeling paint and algae problems earlier this summer.

By Friday morning, crews had restored the World War II Memorial, removing the graffiti and clearing the fountain of foam.

Cleaning the monument, however, does not erase the deliberate contempt shown toward the men and women commemorated there.

Pirro’s decision to pursue felony charges sends an important message: America’s sacred memorials are not canvases for political stunts, and desecrating a tribute to the nation’s war dead will carry serious consequences.